Did You Know About Local Pineapple

Nang Lae or Nam Peung (Cayenne Group)
It is grown favorably in the northern part of Thailand, especially Nang Lae is considered as unique pineapple in Nang Lae district, Chiang Rai province. It looks similar to Smooth Cayenne type but more round shape, thinner skin, and sweeter taste. Due to the thinner skin, Nang Lae is not suitable to be transported.  So, it is popular for fresh consumption in its local only.

Intarachid (Cayenne Group)
This is the oldest pineapple species in Thailand, mostly planted in Chachoengsao province. Even though fruit size is small, the taste is as sweet as Smooth Cayenne. It is also suitable for fresh consumption.

Kao (Cayenne Group)
It is believed that Kao was mutated from Intarachid species as they came from the same area of Chachoengsao province. However, Kao is less sweet in taste and the quality of pineapple flesh is not as good as Intarachid. In addition, it grows with numerous crowns due to normal disease of this species.

Phuket or Sawi (Queen Group)
It derives the name from the area where it is grown.  In Phuket, it is grown as a rubber intercrop, while in Sawi district of Chumphon, it is an intercrop in coconut plantation. It is also cultivated widely in Chumporn, Nakhorn Sri Thammarat, and Trang provinces.  The size of this specie is smaller, thicker skin, sweeter and crunchier, but less in fiber. It is popular for fresh consumption in the southern part of Thailand.

Phu Lae (Queen Group)
This is another Phuket species but cultivated in Nang Lae district, Chiang Rai province. The name Phu Lae derives from Phuket plus Nang Lae.  It is not the cross-breeding of two species. The soil and land conditions have impact on the size of fruit, resulting in rounder and smaller pineapple.

Trat Si Thong (Queen Group)
This pineapple species is resistant to disease and can be grown in any seasons.   Furthermore, lower cultivating cost is an outstanding factor leading farmer in Trat province expands their planting. It is cylindrical in shape with thinner skin and consistant yellow color for whole fruit. It has very sweet taste, and is mainly for fresh consumption.

Phetchaburi (Queen Group) 
It is the new species of pineapple that Department of Agriculture (DOA) has been developing for over 10 years. It is normally called Taiwan pineapple as the DOA developed it from Tainan 41, one of the species located in Taiwan. The outstanding characteristic of this species is that the fruitlet which can be removed easily. Then consumer does not need to peel the skin or coring, but just to eat it like Custard Apple. It has sweet - sour taste and crunchy texture. Furthermore, it can grow well even in rather dry condition, but it cannot withstand water-logging.

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